What Australia's climate was like 350,000 years ago

February 26, 2024 3:29 AM

This "underground library" shows what Australia's climate was like 350,000 years ago. Naracoorte Caves study shows Australian ice age was wetter, more animal-friendly, than first thought.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (2 comments total)

I’ve previously read reports that parts of Australia that are now desertified were once immensely lush with thick loamy soil at the time of European contact, constructed by indigenous land practices. I’ve always wanted to dig in on the topic.

350kya is not that long ago in evolutionary terms.
posted by rubatan at 7:51 AM on February 26

Fascinating! The accommodating conditions during the ice age could be another reason why animals evolved differently in Australia vs. the rest of the world.
posted by rageagainsttherobots at 2:07 PM on February 26 [1 favorite]